Students rally at Pune University in a heated debate over the 'Voice of Devendra' contest, as covered by puneripages.in. The protest pits NSUI against ABVP, raising questions about politics on campus.
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
Hey there, fellow Puneites! If you’ve been around Savitribai Phule Pune University lately, you might’ve felt the buzz—or should I say, the tension! On August 12, 2025, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and some like-minded student groups kicked off a protest right outside the National Service Scheme (NSS) office. Why? They’re fuming over an upcoming elocution contest themed “Voice of Devendra,” which they see as a sneaky way to push political agendas onto our campus. As someone who’s grown up watching this city evolve, I couldn’t help but dive into this story—it’s got heart, passion, and a whole lot of soul-searching about what our university stands for.
Table of Contents
Why is the NSUI protesting at Pune University?
Picture this: a group of fired-up students, chanting “Save Education, Save the University, Save Democracy,” standing their ground against what they call a politically charged move. The NSUI, tied to the Congress party, believes the “Voice of Devendra” theme—likely a nod to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis—is a blatant attempt to turn our public university into a political stage. I chatted with an NSUI leader who poured his heart out, saying, “This is a blatant attempt to turn a public university into a propaganda machine for a single political party. We’re here to study and debate, not to participate in a sycophantic PR event.” You can feel the frustration, right? These students want a space where ideas, not politicians, take center stage.
What is the ‘Voice of Devendra’ elocution contest?
Now, let’s flip the coin. The contest, backed by groups like the Swarambh Foundation, is all about “Developed Maharashtra,” with “Voice of Devendra” as its catchy title. I spoke to someone from the organizing side, and they were just as passionate, arguing, “This is an exercise in free speech. Discussing the work and vision of a prominent state leader is a valid and important topic for students. Are we to say that certain political figures are off-limits for discussion?” Fair point, huh? The NSS had put up a notice about it, but after the protest flared up, they pulled it down. As a Pune local, I’ve seen how campus events can spark big conversations—sometimes too big!
Explainer Box: The Heart of the Debate
- The Argument Against (NSUI’s Take): Our university runs on taxpayer money, so it should be a neutral zone. Naming a contest after an active ruling-party politician feels like a hidden endorsement, and that’s not cool for a learning space.
- The Argument For (Organizers’ Take): Universities are where big ideas clash! Talking about today’s leaders is part of growing as civic-minded folks—it’s all about freedom to express and learn.
This isn’t new, though. If you’ve followed Indian campus life, you know the rivalry between NSUI and ABVP (linked to RSS/BJP) has been brewing for years. It’s like a family feud with higher stakes!
What is the university’s stance on political events on campus?
Here’s where it gets tricky. As of this morning—4:27 AM IST on August 13, 2025—the university brass hasn’t said much. I reached out, and NSS coordinator Dr. Sadanand Bhosale shared that the university isn’t running the contest—it was just a notice for students interested in joining. “We explained that we are not holding the competition and it was just posted so that interested students could take part,” he told me, adding they yanked the notice after the protest. The NSUI crew handed a complaint letter to the Vice-Chancellor, demanding a rethink, but we’re still waiting on a reply. As someone who loves this city’s academic vibe, I’m hoping the admin steps up with some clarity soon.
What Happens Next?
- The NSUI isn’t backing down—they’ve warned of bigger protests if the theme doesn’t change.
- The university might review things and drop a statement or new policy any day now.
- Keep an eye on SPPU’s official updates or NSS notices if you’re curious like me!
This whole saga hits home for me as a Pune resident. It’s not just a protest—it’s a fight for what our campus should be: a place where we learn, argue, and grow, not a political playground. Let’s see how this unfolds—stay tuned, folks!
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